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The best new bakeries in Toronto in 2012 brought terrible new temptations to those still clinging to the forlorn Atkins diet. Sorry. 2011's reign of the cupcake was replaced by a newfound appreciation for the heavily decorated doughnut, along with persistent dedication to the classic croissant and cookie. The year 2012 saw traditional French, country homestyle, and the odd vegan take on baking, with a couple of unusual options (or names) that seduce a second glance.

Glory Hole Doughnuts

Glory Hole simultaneously charmed and horrified Torontonians when it erected (snort) its storefront in Parkdale over the summer. Ashley Jacot De Boinod, the woman behind the Hole, finally gave her Butter and Toast and Lemon Meringue doughnuts a proper home, smartly offering the option to add bacon to any selection. Now it’s just a matter of time until “Circle Jerk Chicken” moves in next door.

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Tori's Bakeshop

Tori’s Bakeshop arrived in the Beaches early in the year, and went on to prove that vegan baking can survive (and thrive!) on taste alone. Leaving the dogma and obtrusive signage aside, Tori let its cupcakes, cinnamon buns, and scones speak for themselves. And speak they did. Rumor has it the area is still enveloped in a (refined-sugar-free) doughnut coma, though luckily there are soymilk lattes to snap you out of it.

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Le Dolci

Forget maple bacon chocolate cupcakes and raspberry cheesecake supreme. Le Dolci made the decision to keep things simple with its classic chocolate and vanilla cupcake options. That said, take a class and you’ll learn to transform the average cake into a custom, colourful, three-dimensional delight, albeit, a temporary one that will soon meet its ultimate demise. That being, your mouth.

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Andrea's Gerrard Street Bakery

Did it really take this long for a bakery in Toronto to think up a “Streetcar” sandwich? In any case, Andrea’s Gerrard Street Bakery brought a whole lot more than clever nomenclature to East Chinatown with its summertime opening, offering a homestyle spread of classic butter tarts, cookies, cakes, and other sweets. “Wee cakes” reign supreme on the indulgent end, while freshly baked scones have come to dominate weekends.